Hohenems
“What is worth serving is worth doing right.” That’s the philosophy at Café Bardeli, and in my opinion, they are doing it exceptionally well.
I’ve now visited this beautiful, cosy café twice—once for brunch with my family and once for lunch with a friend. On both occasions, the food, service and atmosphere were outstanding, making it somewhere I know I’ll be returning to again and again.
A warm welcome
Our first visit was for Saturday brunch with our two daughters. We’d booked a table but, surprisingly, arrived a little early (quite an achievement for a family with young children!). As we approached the café, my youngest suddenly announced she urgently needed the toilet—a far more familiar moment.
I explained that we were early and would have to wait, but Aina, who was setting up outside, overheard us and immediately welcomed us in. She insisted it was no problem at all and encouraged us to make ourselves comfortable. It was such a simple gesture, but it instantly made us feel at home.
Having noticed us speaking both English and German with the girls, Aina kindly asked which language we would prefer, and we ended up chatting with her about the café and its story. Together with Morne, who leads the kitchen, they’ve created a place that feels genuinely warm and welcoming.
One thing that really stood out was how accommodating they were for families. They happily offered to prepare something different for our daughters if the brunch menu wasn’t suitable. In the end, our youngest enjoyed a simple plate of freshly cooked eggs, while our eldest had no trouble polishing off the brioche French toast!
As for me, I chose the Eggs Florentine—something I hadn’t eaten since moving to Vorarlberg—and it was every bit as good as I’d hoped. The soft brioche, perfectly poached eggs, creamy hollandaise and fresh vegetables made for an absolutely delicious breakfast.
Back for lunch
After our first visit, I started following Café Bardeli on Instagram, and every day their lunch specials seemed to tempt me a little more. Eventually, when I had the chance to meet a friend for lunch, there was only one place I wanted to go.
It was a beautiful sunny day, so we sat outside and enjoyed watching the world go by. The lunch menu is inspired by the slow food philosophy, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. You’ll find colourful bowls, and vibrant salads, with options to add chicken, falafel or halloumi, as well as flavoursome curries and lots more (follow them on Instagram for their actual lunch menu, as it changes often).
We both chose one of their summer bowls, filled with grains, crisp seasonal salad, fresh vegetables and a mouth-watering salsa, accompanied by a glass of wine. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and it was clear that quality ingredients are at the heart of every dish.
Their homemade buns and focaccia also looked delicious, and I already know what I’ll be ordering on my next visit.
The menu changes regularly according to the season,—although it does leave me wishing I lived a little closer, because I’d happily become a daily visitor.
To finish, we enjoyed one last coffee, although we simply couldn’t find room for one of their homemade cakes.
Café Bardeli is one of those places where you instantly feel welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is genuinely friendly, and the food is thoughtfully prepared using excellent seasonal ingredients. It’s the kind of café where time seems to slow down, encouraging you to stay just a little longer over another coffee, another conversation… or perhaps another plate of delicious food.
If you’re looking for somewhere that combines outstanding food with genuine hospitality, Café Bardeli is well worth a visit.
Website: https://cafebardeli.at/en/
Address: Marktstraße 40, 6845 Hohenems
